Percy cracked a wide smile as he spotted Kirk. “Kirk.”
“I, uh, found something that might belong to you,” Kirk said, holding out the orange-spiked dinosaur. “It was hiding in the courtyard at the restaurant.”
Percy’s face lit up with delight. “Spike!” he exclaimed, scrambling off the swing and rushing over. “Mom, look! It’s Spike! I thought he was gone forever!”
Kirk placed the plastic dinosaur in Percy’s outstretched hands, smiling at the boy’s obvious joy.
“Thank you,” Isla said, her expression less wary. “He’s been worried about it since he couldn’t find him this morning.”
“I looked everywhere for him,” Percy said seriously, checking his toy over. “Now he’s here.”
“I also brought these,” Kirk added, offering the paper bag to Isla. “Matt’s pain au chocolat. Fresh from the oven this morning.”
Isla’s eyebrows rose as she caught the scent of butter and chocolate wafting from the bag. A small smile curved her lips.
“That sounds perfect,” she said, standing up from the swing. “I’ll put some coffee on. Would you like some?”
Our mate is inviting us to stay,his bear said smugly.
“I would,” Kirk managed, his voice steadier than he felt.
“Come on in,” Isla said, holding the door open. “Percy, why don’t you show Kirk your dinosaurs while I make coffee?”
“Yes!” Percy grabbed Kirk’s hand without hesitation, tugging him toward a small table near the window where a line of plastic dinosaurs stood in formation. “These are the ones I brought with me.”
Kirk let himself be led, aware of Isla moving about in the kitchen behind them, the quiet sounds of coffee-making filling the cabin.
“Mom only let me bring ten,” Percy explained, pointing to each dinosaur in turn. “I have thirty-seven at home.”
“That’s quite a collection,” Kirk said, genuinely impressed as he kneeled down to get a better look. “Which one’s your favorite?”
“T. rex is the coolest,” Percy said, holding up a fearsome-looking dinosaur with tiny arms. “But Triceratops is the bravest. And Ankylosaurus has the best defense.”
Kirk listened, thoroughly charmed, as Percy explained the alliances and rivalries within his dinosaur collection. The boy’s imagination seemed endless; every dinosaur had a role, a history, a place in the pack.
She’s raised an amazing kid,his bear observed.
Yes, she has,Kirk agreed, watching Percy arrange his dinosaurs in what appeared to be a strategic formation.
“The herbivores have to stick together,” Percy explained seriously, “because the carnivores are always trying to eat them.”
“Makes sense,” Kirk nodded. “Safety in numbers.”
“Exactly!” Percy beamed, pleased to be understood.
The rich aroma of coffee filled the cabin as Isla approached with a tray carrying two mugs, cream, sugar, and plates for the pastries.
“These look amazing,” Isla said, opening the bag and inhaling the buttery, chocolate scent of the pastries.
“Matt’s a magician with pastry,” Kirk said, accepting the coffee she offered him.
Percy took a big bite of his pain au chocolat, leaving a smear of melted chocolate across his cheek.
“You’re supposed to eat it, not wear it.” Isla smiled as she handed him a napkin.
Kirk took a sip of his coffee, watching Isla and Percy over the rim of his mug.
This is how it could be every morning,his bear said contentedly.
